U.S. patent application number 10/827808 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-21 for stalk switch.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alps Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kobayashi, Ayumu.
Application Number | 20040206611 10/827808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32959580 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040206611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi, Ayumu |
October 21, 2004 |
Stalk switch
Abstract
A stalk switch having a simplified structure and wide
general-purpose applicability is provided. The stalk switch
comprises an operating lever 4 manually operated by an operator, a
supporting member 2 for rockably supporting the operating lever 4,
an electromagnetic brake 5 arranged opposite to a base end of the
operating lever 4, an optical image sensor 6 for detecting the
operational state of the operating lever 4, and controlling means 8
for controlling the drive of the electromagnetic brake 5 based on
an output signal a from the optical image sensor 6, wherein the
range of movement of the operating lever 4 is defined by the
electromagnetic brake 5, and a predetermined tactile response
corresponding the operational state is given to the operating lever
4.
Inventors: |
Kobayashi, Ayumu;
(Miyagi-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
P.O. Box 10395
Chicago
IL
60610
US
|
Assignee: |
Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
32959580 |
Appl. No.: |
10/827808 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2215/05 20130101;
H01H 3/503 20130101; B60Q 1/1469 20130101; H01H 2003/008 20130101;
G05G 5/03 20130101; H01H 25/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
200/010 |
International
Class: |
H01H 009/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2003 |
JP |
2003-115771 |
Claims
1. A stalk switch, comprising: an operating lever manually operated
by an operator; a supporting member for rockably supporting the
operating lever; an actuator arranged opposite to a base end of the
operating lever; detecting means for detecting an operational state
of the operating lever; and controlling means for controlling the
drive of the actuator based on an output signal from the detecting
means, wherein a range of movement of the operating lever is
defined by the actuator, and a predetermined tactile response
corresponding to the operational state is given to the operating
lever.
2. The stalk switch according to claim 1, wherein the actuator
comprises an electromagnetic brake having an armature and an
electromagnetic coil, and wherein the armature is attached to the
base end of the operating lever through a spring member, and an end
surface of a yoke wound with the electromagnetic coil is opposite
to the armature.
3. The stalk switch according to claim 1, wherein the actuator
comprises the electromagnetic brake having the armature attached to
the base end of the operating lever and the yoke wound with the
electromagnetic coil, and wherein the end surface of the yoke is
opposite to the armature, and the yoke is attached to a setting
member through a spring member.
4. The stalk switch according to claim 2, wherein the armature is
formed of a spherical shape whose center is a rocking point of the
operating lever, and the end surface of the yoke is formed of the
same shape as that of the armature.
5. The stalk switch according to claim 3, wherein the armature is
formed of a spherical shape whose center is a rocking point of the
operating lever, and the end surface of the yoke is formed of the
same shape as that of the armature.
6. The stalk switch according to claim 2, wherein an optical image
sensor is used as the detecting means, and wherein light emitted
from a light source is reflected from the armature and is incident
on the optical image sensor to detect the operational state of the
operating lever.
7. The stalk switch according to claim 3, wherein an optical image
sensor is used as the detecting means, and wherein light emitted
from a light source is reflected from the armature and is incident
on the optical image sensor to detect the operational state of the
operating lever.
8. The stalk switch according to claim 4, wherein an optical image
sensor is used as the detecting means, and wherein light emitted
from a light source is reflected from the armature and is incident
on the optical image sensor to detect the operational state of the
operating lever.
9. The stalk switch according to claim 5, wherein an optical image
sensor is used as the detecting means, and wherein light emitted
from a light source is reflected from the armature and is incident
on the optical image sensor to detect the operational state of the
operating lever.
10. The stalk switch according to claim 6, wherein an image guide
is provided between the armature and the optical image sensor and
is arranged at a center of the electromagnetic coil.
11. The stalk switch according to claim 7, wherein an image guide
is provided between the armature and the optical image sensor and
is arranged at a center of the electromagnetic coil.
12. The stalk switch according to claim 8, wherein an image guide
is provided between the armature and the optical image sensor and
is arranged at a center of the electromagnetic coil.
13. The stalk switch according to claim 9, wherein an image guide
is provided between the armature and the optical image sensor and
is arranged at a center of the electromagnetic coil.
14. The stalk switch according to claim 1, wherein an elastic
member is provided for automatically returning the operating lever
to a neutral position that is set in the supporting member.
15. The stalk switch according to claim 2, wherein an elastic
member is provided for automatically returning the operating lever
to a neutral position that is set in the supporting member.
16. The stalk switch according to claim 3, wherein an elastic
member is provided for automatically returning the operating lever
to a neutral position that is set in the supporting member.
17. The stalk switch according to claim 4, wherein an elastic
member is provided for automatically returning the operating lever
to a neutral position that is set in the supporting member.
18. The stalk switch according to claim 14, wherein a steering
angle signal is input to the controlling means, and the controlling
means controls the drive of the actuator based on the steering
angle signal and the output signal from the detecting means.
19. The stalk switch according to claim 15, wherein a steering
angle signal is input to the controlling means, and the controlling
means controls the drive of the actuator based on the steering
angle signal and the output signal from the detecting means.
20. The stalk switch according to claim 16, wherein a steering
angle signal is input to the controlling means, and the controlling
means controls the drive of the actuator based on the steering
angle signal and the output signal from the detecting means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a stalk switch for
operating turn signal lamps or windshield wipers attached to a
steering column of an automobile.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Typically, a pair of stalk switches is attached to a
steering column of an automobile. One stalk switch is generally
referred to as a turn signal switch for operating turn signal lamps
and/or headlights, and the other stalk switch is used for operating
windshield wipers or a washing solution. Of these stalk switches,
the turn signal switch rotatably supports a base end of an
operating lever on a housing integrally formed with the steering
column. By rotating the front end of the operating lever from a
neutral position to either one of the right and left positions, a
turn signal lamp for the right or left direction turns on and off,
and by rotating the operating lever in a direction perpendicular to
the turn signal position, headlight beam switching or flashing for
passing is performed.
[0005] In the related art, it has been proposed a turn signal
switch in which an operating member fits to an operating lever to
integrate them as one piece, a holder is rotatably connected to the
operating member protruding from the operating lever, and a pair of
supporting shafts provided on the holder is rotatably supported on
the housing (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this case, a
rotating axis of the operating lever with respect to the housing
and a rotating axis of the operating member with respect to the
holder are perpendicular to each other, and a driving member is
slidably held at the operating member through a spring, and the
front end of the driving member always comes into press contact
with a cam formed on the inner surface of the holder. In addition,
another driving member is slidably held in the holder through a
spring, and the front end of the driving member always comes into
press contact with another cam formed on the inner surface of the
housing.
[0006] In the turn signal switch constructed as above, when the
operator (i.e., the driver) rotates the operating lever from a
neutral position to either one of the right and left positions, the
operating lever, the operating member, and the holder integrally
rotate around the supporting axis of the holder as a center, and
the driving member held in the holder slides along the cam of the
housing. Accordingly, the operating lever is locked in a turn
signal position, and thus a turn signal lamp for turning to the
right or the left turns on and off. In the meantime, when the
operator rotates the operating lever in a direction perpendicular
to the above turn signal position, the holder does not rotate, and
the operating lever and the operating member rotate with respect to
the holder. Accordingly, the headlight beam switching or flashing
for passing is performed. At this time, the driving member held in
the operating member slides along the cam of the holder, and
sufficient restoring force builds up in the operating member.
Accordingly, the operating lever and the operating member return to
the neutral position by the restoring force.
[0007] [Patent Document 1]
[0008] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
10-269900 (pages 3 to 5, and FIG. 1)
[0009] However, in the above-mentioned conventional stalk switch,
it is necessary to combine many components, such as a holder having
cams, a plurality of driving members, and springs to form a
supporting structure for locking the operating lever at a turn
signal position or for rotatably operating the operating lever in a
direction perpendicular to the turn signal position. Thus, the
conventional stalk switch has a very complicated structure, and it
costs a great deal to fabricate it. In particular, in the case of
the stalk switch as a turn signal switch, when the steering wheel
is rotated in a direction opposite to the desired direction in a
state in which the operating lever is rotated in the right or left
direction, a cancel mechanism should be added to automatically
return the operating lever to its neutral position, which causes a
more complicated structure due to the added cancel mechanism.
[0010] In addition, in this kind of stalk switch, it is common to
mount a pair of stalk switches in a common housing to make a
combination switch. However, the arrangement of these stalk
switches for turn signals and windshield wipers to the right and
left of the steering wheel may be different in each country having
local road laws and regulations, and various car makers and models
of cars have different maintaining forces for locking the operating
lever of the turn signal switch at a turn signal position, and
different amounts of stroke from the neutral position of the
operating lever. As such, in the aforementioned conventional stalk
switch, the sizes and shapes of the components constituting the
stalk switch must be changed according to various required
purposes, thereby degrading general-purpose applicability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is designed to solve the above
problems of the conventional technique, and it is an object of the
present invention to provide a stalk switch having a simplified
structure and wide general-purpose applicability.
[0012] To achieve the object, the present invention provides a
stalk switch comprising an operating lever manually operated by an
operator; a supporting member for rockably supporting the operating
lever; an actuator arranged opposite to a base end of the operating
lever; detecting means for detecting an operational state of the
operating lever; and controlling means for controlling the drive of
the actuator based on an output signal from the detecting means,
wherein the range of movement of the operating lever is defined by
the actuator, and a predetermined tactile response corresponding to
the operational state is given to the operating lever.
[0013] In the stalk switch having the above-mentioned structure,
the actuator is driven based on the output signal from the
detecting means corresponding to the operational state of the
operating lever. In addition, the range of movement of the
operating lever is defined by the actuator, and a predetermined
tactile response corresponding to the operational state is given to
the operating lever. Thus, the range of movement of the operating
lever 4 can be set to any values, and a feeling or the lock
maintaining force required for the operating lever 4 can also be
set to any values, which results in the turn signal switch having a
simplified structure and wide general-purpose applicability.
[0014] In the above-mentioned structure, preferably, the actuator
comprises an electromagnetic brake having an armature and an
electromagnetic coil, wherein the armature is attached to the base
end of the operating lever through a spring member, and an end
surface of a yoke wound with the electromagnetic coil is opposite
to the armature. In addition, preferably, the actuator comprises
the electromagnetic brake having the armature attached to the base
end of the operating lever and the yoke wound with the
electromagnetic coil, wherein the end surface of the yoke is
opposite to the armature, and the yoke is attached to a setting
member through a spring member. In this case, both end surfaces of
the armature and the yoke opposite to each other are preferably
formed of a spherical surface whose center is a rocking point of
the operating lever.
[0015] In the above-mentioned structure, preferably, an optical
image sensor is used as the detecting means, and light emitted from
a light source is reflected from the armature and is then incident
on the optical image sensor to detect the operational state of the
operating lever. In this case, an image guide is preferably
provided between the armature and the optical image sensor and is
arranged at the center of the electromagnetic coil, thereby more
simplifying the entire structure of a stalk switch.
[0016] In addition, in the above-mentioned structure, when an
elastic member is provided for automatically returning the
operating lever to its neutral position that is set in the
supporting member, the operating lever may be automatically
returned to its neutral position by means of the elastic member
even when the operator takes his hands off the operating lever. In
this case, when a steering angle signal of the steering wheel is
input to the controlling means and the controlling means controls
the drive of the actuator based on the steering angle signal and
the output signal from the detecting means, a turn signal switch
having a cancel mechanism can be achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the structure of a stalk
switch in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the operation of an
operating lever mounted in the stalk switch;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the range of
movement of the operating lever;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating external force
applied to the operating lever; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the structure of a stalk
switch in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
1 is a view illustrating the structure of a stalk switch in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is
an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of an operating
lever mounted in the stalk switch. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram
illustrating the range of motion of the operating lever. FIG. 4 is
an explanatory diagram illustrating external force applied to the
operating lever.
[0023] The stalk switch in accordance with the present embodiment
is applied to a turn signal switch. As shown in FIG. 1, the turn
signal switch comprises a supporting member 2 having a spherical
bearing 1, an operating lever 4 having a spherical surface portion
supported by the spherical bearing 1, an electromagnetic brake 5
disposed opposite to the lower end of the operating lever 4, an
optical image sensor 6 for detecting an operational state of the
operating lever 4, an angle sensor 7 for detecting a steering angle
of a steering wheel (not shown), and control means 8 for outputting
a driving signal c for the electromagnetic brake 5 based on output
signals a and b received from the optical image sensor 6 and the
angle sensor 7, respectively.
[0024] The spherical surface portion 3 is formed a little to the
base of the operating lever and is supported by the spherical
bearing 1, so that the operating lever 4 is supported so as to
freely rock with respect to the supporting member 2. A knob 9 is
attached to the front end of the operating lever 4. For example, by
rotating the knob 9 around an axis of the operating lever 4, a
rotary switch (not shown) is driven to turn on and off headlights.
Alternatively, by pressing the knob 9 in the axial direction of the
operating lever 4, a push switch (not shown) may be driven to turn
on and off headlights. In addition, an external force receiving
portion 10 is formed of a substantially hemispherical shape at the
lower end of the operating lever 4 integrally with the operating
lever 4, and an armature 12 formed of a magnetic material is formed
at the lower end surface 10a of the external power receiving
portion 10 with a spring member 11, such as a plate spring,
interposed therebetween. The lower end surface 10a is formed of a
spherical shape whose center is a rocking point (i.e., the
spherical surface portion 3) of the operating lever 4, and the
armature 12 is also formed of a spherical shape corresponding to
the shape of the lower end surface 10a of the operating lever 4.
Furthermore, a plurality of springs 13 extends between the
supporting member 2 and the operating lever 4 on the lower side of
the spherical surface portion 3, so that the operating lever 4 may
be automatically returned to its neutral position (where the
operating lever 4 is vertically positioned with respect to the
supporting member 2) by means of elastic force of the springs
13.
[0025] The electromagnetic brake 5 is an actuator for applying
predetermined external force to the operating lever 4. The
electromagnetic brake 5 includes the armature 12 attached to the
external force receiving portion 10 of the operating lever 4, a
yoke 14 disposed opposite to the armature 12 and fixed to an
attaching plate 2a that is a part of the supporting member 2, and
an electromagnetic coil 15 wound around the yoke 14. A lining
material 16 is attached to the upper surface of the yoke 14, and
the upper surface of the yoke 14 and the lining material 16 are
also formed of spherical shapes corresponding to that of the lower
end surface 10a of the operating lever 4.
[0026] The optical image sensor 6 is mounted on a circuit board 17
integrated with the supporting member 2, and a light source (not
shown) is also mounted on the circuit board 17. An image guide 18
is provided between the optical image sensor 6 and the armature 12
and is also arranged in a central position of the yoke 14 and the
electromagnetic coil 15. In addition, a predetermined detection
pattern is formed on the outer surface of the armature 12. The
armature 12 is irradiated with light emitted from the light source,
and an image of the detection pattern formed on the outer surface
of the armature is then guided to the optical image sensor 6
through the image guide 18. Therefore, the amount of movement of
the operating lever 4 in the X-Y coordinates, that is, the rocking
direction and the rocking amount (i.e., the rocking angle) of the
operating lever 4, can be detected.
[0027] The controlling means 8 includes an input unit 81 for
inputting the output signal a from the optical image sensor 6 and
the output signal b from the angle sensor 7, a storage unit 82 for
storing any external force tables, a CPU 83 for reading out from
the storage unit 82 control signals corresponding to the output
signals a and b input to the input unit 81 and for outputting them,
a driver circuit 84 for digital-to-analog converting and amplifying
the control signals output from the CPU 83 to generate a driving
signal c for the electromagnetic coil 15 of the electromagnetic
brake 5 and a driving signal d for an external controller 19, and
an output unit 85 for outputting the driving signals c and d. The
CPU 83 receives the output signal a from the optical image sensor 6
and the output signal b from the angle sensor 7 through the input
unit 81, and calculates the rocking direction and the rocking
amount of the operating lever 4 based on the output signal a from
the optical image sensor 6, and also determines whether the
operating lever 4 should be automatically returned to its neutral
position based on the output signal b from the angle sensor 7. The
storage unit 82 stores an external force table corresponding to
external force applied from the electromagnetic brake 5 to the
operating lever 4. The range of movement of the operating lever 4
is defined by the external force, and a predetermined tactile
response is also given to the operating lever 4. That is, in the
electromagnetic brake 5, the absorption force of the armature 12 is
varied according to the amount of current flowing through the
electromagnetic coil 15. Thus, when the driving signal c having a
high current value is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 15, a
high brake force can be applied to the operating lever 4 in
operation to define the range of movement of the operating lever 4,
and when the driving signal c having a relatively low current value
is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 15, a click feeling or
resistance feeling can be given to the operating lever 4 in
operation.
[0028] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the +X, -X,
+Y, and -Y rocking directions are defined from the neutral position
of the operating lever 4, and the rocking angle of the operating
lever 4 is defined from +20.degree. to -20.degree. in the +X and -X
directions, and the rocking angle of the operating lever 4 is
defined from +30.degree. to -30.degree. in the +Y and -Y
directions. In this case, the +X, -X, +Y, and -Y directions
represent a right turn operation of the turn signal, a left turn
operation of the turn signal, an operation for changing to high
beam headlights, and an operation for flash-to-pass of headlights,
respectively. In addition, a predetermined click feeling is given
at a position before the rocking range of the operating lever 4 in
the +X, -X, +Y, and -Y directions.
[0029] As mentioned above, the rocking range to be defined and the
click feeling to be given for the operating lever 4 can be
controlled by the driving signal c output from the output unit 85
of the controlling means 8 to the electromagnetic coil 15 of the
electromagnetic brake 5. That is, when the operating lever 4 is
rocked from its neutral position (0.degree.) to the +X and -X
directions as shown in FIG. 4A, the driving signal c having a
predetermined current value is supplied to the electromagnetic coil
15 to give the click feeling to the operating lever 4 at the point
of time when the operating lever 4 is rocked just before the
.+-.20.degree. limit, and the maximum value of current of the
driving signal c is preferably supplied to the electromagnetic coil
15 to restrict the operation of the operating lever 4 at the point
of time when the operating lever 4 is rocked up to the limit of
.+-.20.degree.. Alternatively, when the operating lever 4 is rocked
from its neutral position (0.degree.) to the .+-.Y directions as
shown in FIG. 4B, the click feeling is given to the operating lever
4 by supplying the electromagnetic coil 15 with the driving signal
c having a predetermined current value at the point of time when
the operating lever 4 is rocked just before the .+-.30.degree.
limit, and the maximum value of current of the driving signal c is
preferably supplied to the electromagnetic coil 15 to restrict the
operation of the operating lever 4 at the point of time when the
operating lever 4 is rocked up to the limit of .+-.30.degree.. In
addition, when the operating lever 4 is rocked in oblique
directions other than the +X, -X, +Y, and -Y directions, the
driving signal c having the maximum value of current is applied to
the electromagnetic coil 15. Therefore, the operating lever 4 is
restricted to move in the oblique directions.
[0030] The operation of the turn signal switch constructed as above
will now be described. When no operating force is applied to the
operating lever 4, the operating lever 4 is maintained at its
neutral position (where the operating lever 4 is vertically
positioned with respect to the supporting member 2) by the elastic
force of each spring 13 as shown in FIG. 1. In this state, when the
operator (i.e., the driver) operates the operating lever 4 from its
neutral position to the right and left directions (the .+-.X
directions in FIG. 3), for example, to the right direction as shown
in FIG. 2, the operating lever 4 is rotated around the spherical
surface portion 3 as a supporting point, and the external force
receiving portion 10 at the lower portion of the operating lever 4
rotates in a clockwise direction around the spherical surface
portion 3 as a center as shown in FIG. 3. By means of this
rotation, the armature 12 attached to the external force receiving
portion 10 also rotates in the clockwise direction, so that an
image of a detection pattern formed on the outer surface of the
armature 12 is guided to the optical image sensor 6 through the
image guide 18, and the output signal a from the optical image
sensor 6 is input to the input unit 81 of the controlling means 8.
In the controlling means 8, the CPU 83 calculates the rocking
direction and the rocking amount (the rocking angle) of the
operating lever 4 based on the output signal a compares the
calculated results with the external force table stored in the
storage unit 82, and then a predetermined driving signal c is
output from the driver circuit 84 to the electromagnetic coil 15 of
the electromagnetic brake 5 through the output unit 85.
[0031] In other words, at the point of time when the operating
lever 4 is rocked from its neutral position to the right direction
at a predetermined angle, the driving signal c having a
predetermined value of current is applied to the electromagnetic
coil 15, and then the armature 12 is absorbed to the lining
material 16 attached to the upper surface of the yoke 14.
Therefore, this absorption force brakes the operation of the
operating lever 4 in the rocking direction. Accordingly, as shown
in FIG. 4A, an operating force having a predetermined value is
applied from the electromagnetic brake 5 to the operating lever 4
just before the operating lever 4 is rocked up to a stroke end
position (20.degree.), and the operating lever 4 is locked at the
stroke end position by means of the operating force, which is
recognized as a click feeling by the operator who is holding the
operating lever 4. In addition, the driving signal d is output from
the output unit 85 of the controlling means 8 to the controller 19
of an automobile body when the operating lever 4 is locked at the
stroke end position of the right direction, so that a turn signal
lamp for the right turn is flashed. Furthermore, the same procedure
can be performed when the operating lever 4 is rocked from its
neutral position to the left direction. In this case, a turn signal
lamp for the left turn (not shown) is flashed when the operating
lever 4 is locked at the stroke end position (20.degree.) of the -X
direction.
[0032] In addition, the CPU 83 determines whether the operating
lever 4 should be automatically returned to its neutral position
based on the output signal b from the angle sensor 7. Therefore, as
described above, when the steering wheel is rotated in a direction
opposite to the rocking direction of the operating lever 4 while
the operating lever 4 is locked at the right and left stroke end
positions, the driving signal c to be supplied to the
electromagnetic coil 15 is cancelled. As a result, the
electromagnetic brake 5 that is locking the operating lever 4 at
the stroke end position is deactivated, so that the operating lever
4 is automatically returned to its neutral position by means of the
elastic force of each spring 13.
[0033] In the meantime, when the operating lever 4 is rocked by the
operator from its neutral position to a direction perpendicular to
the above-mentioned direction, for example, to the +Y direction in
FIG. 3, an operating force having a predetermined magnitude is
applied from the electromagnetic brake 5 to the operating lever 4
just before that the operating lever is rocked up to the stroke end
position (30.degree.of the +Y direction as shown in FIG. 4B. Then,
the operating lever 4 is locked at the stroke end position by means
of the operating force, which is recognized as a click feeling by
the operator who is holding the operating lever 4. In addition, at
the point of time when the operating lever 4 is locked at the
stroke end position of the +Y direction, the driving signal d is
output from the output unit 85 of the control means 8 to the
controller 19 of the automobile body to switch headlights to a high
beam mode. Likewise, when the operator rocks the operating lever 4
from its neutral position to the -Y direction, a small operating
force is applied from the electromagnetic brake 5 to the operating
lever 4 just before the operating lever 4 is rocked up to the
stroke end position (30.degree.) of the -Y direction, which is then
recognized as a click feeling by the operator who is holding the
operating lever 4. Furthermore, at the point of time when the
operating lever 4 is rocked up to the stroke end position of the -Y
direction, the driving signal d is output from the output unit 85
of the controlling means 8 to the controller 19 of the automobile
body to operate the flash-to-pass operation for the headlights.
However, in this case, since the operating force applied from the
electromagnetic brake 5 to the operating lever 4 is small, the
operating lever 4 is not locked at the stroke end position of the
-Y direction. Thus, the operating lever 4 is automatically returned
to its neutral position by the elastic force of each spring 13 when
the operating force in the -Y direction is removed from the
operating lever 4.
[0034] As such, the turn signal switch in accordance with the
present embodiment comprises the operating lever 4 manually
operated by the operator, the supporting member 2 for rockably
supporting the operating lever 4, the electromagnetic brake 5
arranged to be opposite to the base end of the operating lever 4,
the optical image sensor 6 for detecting the operational state of
the operating lever 4, and the controlling means 8 for controlling
the drive of the electromagnetic brake 5 based on the output signal
a from the optical image sensor 6, wherein the range of movement of
the operating lever 4 is defined by the electromagnetic brake 5,
and a predetermined tactile response corresponding to the
operational state is given to the operating lever 4, so that the
range of movement of the operating lever 4 can be set to any
values, and a click feeling or the lock maintaining force required
for the operating lever 4 can also be set to any values, which
results in the turn signal switch having a simplified structure and
wide general-purpose applicability. In other words, in the present
embodiment, a case in which the range of movement of the operating
lever 4 is defined to be four directions perpendicular to each
other has been described. However, by means of a minor change of an
external force table stored in the storage unit 82, the range of
movement of the operating lever 4 may be defined to be four
directions that are not mutually perpendicular, or may be defined
to be other directions, and the operating force applied from the
electromagnetic brake 5 to the operating lever 4 or the position
thereof may be freely set.
[0035] In addition, the lower end surface 10a of the external force
receiving portion 10 of the operating lever 4 is formed of a
spherical shape whose center is a rocking point (the spherical
portion 3) of the operating lever 4, and the armature 12, which is
a component of the electromagnetic brake 5, is attached to the
lower end surface 10a with the spring member 11 provided
therebetween. Furthermore, the upper end surface of the yoke 14
wound with the electromagnetic coil 15 is arranged to be opposite
to the armature 12, and the upper end surface of the yoke 14 is
formed of a spherical shape corresponding to the shape of the lower
end surface 10a. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to the
electromagnetic coil 15, the armature 12 can be securely absorbed
to the yoke, and when a voltage is not applied to the
electromagnetic coil 15, it is possible to securely separate the
armature 12 from the yoke 14 by means of the elastic force of the
spring member 11. Furthermore, since the lining material 16 is
attached to the upper end surface of the yoke 14, the armature 12
can be absorbed to the yoke 14 through the lining material 16 and
the brake force of the electromagnetic brake 5 can be
stabilized.
[0036] In addition, the optical image sensor 6 is used as detection
means for detecting the operational state of the operating lever 4,
the armature 12 is irradiated with light emitted from the light
source, and an image of a detection pattern formed on the outer
surface of the armature 12 is guided to the optical image sensor 6
through the image guide 18. Therefore, the structure of the
detection means can be securely simplified. Furthermore, since the
image guide 18 is arranged at the central positions of the yoke 14
and the electromagnetic coil 15, it is possible to simplify the
structure of the detection means.
[0037] Furthermore, since the operating lever 4 is automatically
return to its neutral position by means of the spring 13, the
operating lever 4 can be securely returned to its neutral position
by the elastic force of the spring 13 when the operator takes his
hand off the operating lever 4. In addition, the output signal b
from the angle sensor 7, which is a steering angle signal of the
steering wheel, is input to the control means 8, and the action of
the electromagnetic brake 5 is controlled based on the output
signal b and the output signal a from the optical image sensor 6.
Thus, by canceling the supply of the driving signal c to the
electromagnetic coil 15 of the electromagnetic brake 5 when the
steering wheel is rotated in a direction opposite to the rocking
direction of the operating lever 4 in a state in which the
operating lever 4 is locked at the stroke end position, the
operating lever 4 can be automatically returned to its neutral
position by the elastic force of the spring 13, and a cancel
mechanism can be added to the turn signal switch.
[0038] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been
described a case in which the armature 12, which is a component of
the electromagnetic brake 5, is attached to the lower end surface
10a of the operating lever 4 through the spring member 11, and the
yoke 14 wound with the electromagnetic coil 15 is fixed on the
mounting plate 2a integrated with the supporting member 2. However,
as shown in FIG. 5, the armature 12 may be directly attached to the
lower end surface 10a of the operating lever 4, and the yoke 14
wound with the electromagnetic coil 15 may be attached on a setting
member, such as the mounting plate 2a, through the spring member
11.
[0039] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been
described a case in which the stalk switch of the present invention
is applied to the turn signal switch. However, the present
invention may be applied to a stalk switch for operating windshield
wipers or a washing solution.
[0040] The present invention is implemented according to the
above-mentioned embodiments and has the following effects.
[0041] The actuator is driven based on an output signal from
detection means corresponding to the operational state of the
operating lever, the range of movement of the operating lever is
defined by the actuator, and a predetermined tactile response
corresponding to the operational state is given to the operating
lever. Thus, the range of movement of the operating lever can be
set to any values by the same actuator, and a click feeling or the
lock maintaining force required for the operating lever 4 can also
be set to any values. Therefore, the stalk switch can have a
simplified structure and wide general-purpose applicability.
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